Cover for automobile running-boards.



w-. F. nunsow; v COVER FOR AUTOMOBILE RUNNING BOARDS.

APPLICNTION HLED IAN-19.1915. I ..v Patented Apr. 11,1916.

" ATTORNEY.-

WILLIAM F. HUDSON, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

COVER FOR AUTOMOBILE RUNNING-BOARDS.

Specification ot Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11', 1916.

Application filed January 19, 1915 Serial No. 3,086.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. HUDSON, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Cover forAutomobile Running-Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention broadly stated relates to automobile running boards ofsheet steel and the like and has more particular relation to theproviding of auxiliary covers therefor.

Sheet metal and like running boards of automobiles are somewhatunsatisfactory for the reason that they are painted or shellacked andvery soon show the signs of wear and gradually become rusty, thusnecessitating the expense and inconvenience of having the same done upor else permitting same to remain in a condition detrimental to theappearance of the machine.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantageousfeature and provide'an auxiliary cover of non-corrosive material,preferably aluminum, which i is light, strong, durable and inexpensiveto manufacture and which may be readily applied to the ordinary metalrunning board of an automobile without the employment of tools, forpreserving the running board against wear and tear and for maintaining agood appearance running board at all times.

The invention consists of the improve ments hereinafter described andfinally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will bemore. fully understood from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying 'drawings, forming part hereof and inwhich:

Figure 1, is a view in perspectiye of the auxiliary cover of theinvention in appl1 cation to the running board of an automobile whichlatter is shown'in dotted lines, Fig. 2, is a perspective view of thecover detached and illustrating the underside of the same, Fig. 3, is anend view of the cover, and Fig. 4, is an end view of a running boardfitted with the cover of the invention.

In the drawings, 10, designates a metallic running board of anautomobile, which running board is usually supported by the mud guards11. The running board top 1s slightly depressed as at 12, see Fig. 4,thus forming longitudinal, marginal ribs 13. The top is further providedwith a series of protuberances 14, to provide strength and rigidity.Cross pieces 15, of wood are also present with which the running boardhas bolted relation as at 16. These parts are of well known constructionand formno part of the present invention. Such a running board ispainted or shellacked or otherwise treatedas is well understood in theautomo bile trade. Because of the wear and tear to which the runningboard is subjected the paint soon wears ofl in spots, in fact after afew days use, and besides being unsightly, corrosion takes place, thusfurther adding to its detrimental appearance. running board must befrequently re-painted to maintain the same in first class condition.

By the use of the cover of the present invention, this expense andinconvenience may be saved. In manufacture the auxiliary of aluminum, inone piece and comprises a. channeled, elongated structure of a lengthand. width to readily fit over the running board lO. The top of thecover is flat as 18, in contradistinction from" being depressed as isthe running board 10. The sidewalls 19, of the cover, terminate ininwardly and upwardlybent portions to form longitudinal Thus the cover,which is designated ,17,is constructed grooves 20, see Fig. 3, so thatthe side Walls of the running board may be engaged within said groovesand the cover readily slipped over the running board. This position isbest illustrated in Fig. 4:, and in this connection itv is to benotedthat the cover top rests upon the ribs 13, protuberances 14:, and theheads of the bolts 16. The side walls 19, at

tion it will be observed the cover is interlocked against removal andall securing bolts are hidden from View by the cover. The abovedescribed cover is light and durable in structure, is cheap tomanufacture and being of non-corrosive metal maintains a good appearanceat all times, and not requiring paint does not readily show signs ofwear.

What I claim is:

1. As a complete article of manufacture,

a slip-on cover designed for free sliding engagement over a flangedautomobile running board embracing an elongated onepiece channeledmember ofrigid material having a .fiat top indented to provide strengthand rigidity, the side Walls of said member terminating in" inwardly andupwardly extending portions forming continuous grooves for theaccommodation of the flanges of'a' running board," said cover side wallsbeing chamfered ofi' at one cover end.

2. In combination an automobile including its complement'al mud guardsand flanged running board bolted thereto of an auxiliary slip-on coverdesigned for free sliding engagement over said running board mamas whendetached for completely covering the top and flanges of said runningboard including the heads of said bolts, said-cover embracing anelongated one-piece channeled member of rigid material, the side wallsof which terminate in inwardly and upwardly extended portions to formcontinuous grooves for cooperatively engaging over the flanges of therunning board so as to be interlocked with respect thereto when therunning board is bolted to automobile, said cover chamfered off at onecover end to fitwith a mud guard.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo witnesses. WILLIAM F. HUDSON.

'Witnesses: I

WILLIAM J. JAoKsoN, EDGAR C. VAN DYKE.

position upon the sldekwalls being I

